Wednesday, August 02, 2017

I loved everything about this article. The umpires, the practice players, Manny Ramirez givin’ out nicknames.

“What is lacking in profanity between umpires and players is made up for by the music that is played during batting practice and the game. Apparently, all of the music with English lyrics is unedited.

“The other day, they played Eminem’s seminal hit, ‘My Name Is.’ This track was pre-sobriety Eminem, when his work delighted the kids while horrifying the parents. The song touches on a variety of topics that you can explore more if you’re feeling froggy, but suffice to say, it probably should be edited while played in public.

“I was standing in left field in mild shock, listening to Em introduce us to his crazy-ass self, and I had an interesting question pop up regarding his drug use and sobriety. With his sobriety came a seriousness in his tone and lyrics. To my ear, his music just isn’t as fun or interesting anymore. His new records don’t interest or excite me like his first couple of albums.So as the song played, I wondered, ‘What’s ruined more artist’s careers: drug abuse or sobriety?’ Not totally serious, but not totally joking, either.

It’s Part 1 of a series; I’ll add a link to Part 2 unless someone gets to it in the comments before I do.

Reader Comments and Retorts

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

Through a misunderstanding, the driver had taken the two-lane road instead of the freeway. If we were going to make it to the game, we’d have to backtrack. But turning this bus 180 degrees on this road was no small task.

The game was at night, so the lights were turned on. Well, most of the lights. Before the game started, [teammate] Zak [Colby] quipped, ‘You’re going to enjoy this. They don’t turn the lights on in right-center field here.’ ‘What now?’ I asked, equal parts dread and curiosity. ‘Well, since the ocean is so close and commercial fishing boats fish at night right off the coast, they keep lights in the right field off so that the boats don’t cast a shadow in the water and scare away the fish.’

The game ended in a victory for the Fighting Dogs, and Manny was selected as the game’s MVP. He usually doesn’t stick around after the game for interviews and autographs but he did this time, being that it was the final game of the first half. While he was doing his interview in front of all the fans and media, he looked around and said, ‘Where’s the Birdman? Gary, get up here!’ He freaking brought Gary up in front of everyone — probably around 1,500 fans and 30 members of the media — and started talking about how much Gary has helped him with his swing and his performance. I don’t know how it keeps getting more surreal, but it keeps getting more surreal. I’m almost expecting to see clocks melting off tables and long-legged elephants lumbering around Kochi Castle.

The team went outside the stadium to brave the postgame autograph madness, and I think it was as close as I’ll ever feel to being in the Beatles. People were even putting their babies in my arms for pictures. I almost signed a couple.

Immediately, I focused at the umpire, wholly expecting him to toss the manager then and there. He didn’t, but his face looked was if it was about to spontaneously combust. He absorbed a few more (what I took to be) insults quietly before the manager had his fill and sat down on the bench in the dugout. He let the bat boy retrieve his chair. And he somehow managed to stay in the game.

As I thought more about the incident, I realized that I have not seen a single ejection this year. Not one. That would be unheard of in America.